Lakshmy Pilla 

(14 February 1820 – 13 February 1904), better identified as Kutti Kunju Thankachi,
was an Indian composer and writer of Malayalam literature, known to be the first female poet and
composer of Kerala. The daughter of Irayimman Thampi, the noted composer of Omanathinkal
Kidavo and a musician at the court of Swathi Thirunal, she was the author of a number
of attakathas such as Parvathiswayamvaram and Mithrasahamoksham. Sreemathy
Swayamvaram and a play, Ajnathavasam.

Contents

 1Biography
 2Legacy
 3Literary contributions
 4Musical compositions
 5See also
 6Notes
 7References
 8Further reading
 9External links

Biography[edit]
Kutti Kunju Thankachi, née Lakshmy Pilla, was born on 14 February 1820 at Vilavancode taluk of
the Travancore state, presently in Kanyakumari district of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu,
to Irayimman Thampi and Kalipilla Thankachi.[1] Her early education was under her father;[note 1] she
studied under Harippadu Kochuppilla Varrier, simultaneously learning Thiruvathira dance from her
father.[3] Her first marriage was in 1834 to Kunjan Thampan of Cherthala Varanadu Naduvilel
Kovilakam but after the death of Thampan in 1851, she married again in 1861; the marriage with
Kunjunni Thampan lasting a decade until his death in 1871. She had eight children, from her two
marriages. She was afflicted with eye disease from her childhood, lost her eye sight completely by
1902 and died on 13 February 1904, at the age of 83.[1]

Legacy[edit]
Thankachi, known to be the first woman poet[4] and composer of Kerala,[3] wrote eighteen books
comprising three attakathas, Parvathiswayamvaram, Mithrasahamoksham and Sreemathy
Swayamvaram,[5] several poems, two kurathi songs, a thullal and a play, Ajnathavasam.[6] Noted
critic, S. Gupthan Nair, has stated that Thankachi had gained popularity as a poet during her time
itself and people used to visit her to read their poems to listen to her opinions.[7] She was known to
have good knowledge of Sanskrit and she composed songs in several ragas such
as Kambhoji, Kalyaani, Naatta, Khamas and Surutti.[8][9]

Literary contributions[edit]
No. Work

1 Shivaraari Mahatmyam
 No. Work

2 Seetha Swayamvaram'

3 Narada Mohanam

4 Thiruvananthapuram Sthalapuranam

5 Vaikom Sthalapuranam

6 Kiratham

7 Nalacharitham

8 Ganga Snanam

9 Parvathiswayamvaram

10 Mithrasahamoksham

11 Sreemathy Swayamvaram

12 Anchita Saubhagya Lakshmi (for Princess Vanchi)

13 Ajnathavasam

14 Asharavamsha Dinesha Vibho

Musical compositions[edit]
Work Language Raga Ta

Katyayan mam palaya Malayalam Kambhoji Adi tala

Saamaja hara hara Malayalam Kalyani Adi tala

Sooryakoti sama prabha makute Sanskrit Nata Adi tala

Paahi mohana krute Sanskrit Khamas Adi tala

Anandaroopa hare Malayalam Pantuvarali Chapu

Shri pavanapurusha Malayalam Suruti Adi tala

Bandurangi Kintu cheyvu njan Malayalam Huseni Adi tala

Balike, pokarudanetho Malayalam Shankarabharanam Adi tala

Indal valarunnitayyayyo Malayalam Bilahari Adi tala

Ha ramananayi maranno Malayalam Kambhoji Adi tala

Kulasekhara maharaja bhupathe Sanskrit Darbar Roopaka

Dayithe thurakkoo vathil Malayalam Todi Adi tala

Yahi yahi mohanakarte Malayalam Madhyamavathi Adi tala

Kaama komalaakaara Malayalam Ragamalika Adi tala

 Work Language Raga Ta

See also